THE widow of a Birmingham dad gunned down two years ago has begged for the “wall of silence” to be broken at the inquest into his death.

Assar Tomlinson was shot on December 23, 2007, during a row outside the King of the Road pub, which he ran in Newtown.

Jamaican-born Mr Tomlinson, of Old Acre Drive, Handsworth, had been holding a Christmas party at the venue attended by more than 100 revellers.

Witnesses recalled an argument had begun between two women inside the pub, which led to the dad-of-two asking them to leave. It is thought that dispute may have led to the gunfire in the streets. The 33-year-old was fatally wounded by a single bullet to his heart and died in City Hospital, but to date no one has been charged for his murder. Family and friends of Mr Tomlinson attended an inquest yesterday, where coroner for Birmingham and Solihull Aidan Cotter recorded a verdict of unlawful killing.

Speaking after the hearing, his tearful widow Cleo Tomlinson, 30, said this Sunday’s Valentines Day would have been the couple’s fifth wedding anniversary.

She said: “There were a lot of people outside the pub when it happened. Someone must have seen or heard something but there has been a wall of silence in the community. A husband can be replaced but a father can not and not a day goes by when his kids don’t ask about him.”

Mr Tomlinson was well-known in his local community and had been a successful businessman in his Jamaican hometown, running a string of restaurants and entertainment venues.

Mrs Tomlinson said: “He was such a loving husband and a caring father. He was so kind hearted, he would’ve helped anyone in the community and given his last £1 to someone who needed it more than he did.”

Mother-in-law Jennifer Solomon added: “He was the perfect-son-in law, always there when I needed him. This investigation has been going on for so long now, all we want is for the murderer to be brought to justice. If someone is too scared to talk to the police, they can speak to someone in the community – a pastor or business leader.”

During the Inquest Det Insp Neil Corrigan, leading the investigation, assured potential witnesses they would be protected. He said: “West Midlands Police have well established legislation and technologies to help people give evidence in a safe and secure way.”